Hurricane Lorenzo (2007)

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Hurricane Lorenzo

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)

Tropical Storm Lorenzo rapidly intensifying off the Mexican coast

Formed

September 25, 2007

Dissipated

September 28, 2007

Highest
winds

80 mph (130 km/h) (1-minute sustained)

Lowest pressure

990 mbar (hPa; 29.25 inHg)

Fatalities

6 direct

Damage

$92 million (2007 USD)

Areas
affected

Central Mexico

Part of the
2007 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Lorenzo was the twelfth named storm and fifth hurricane of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed in the Bay of Campeche off the east coast of Mexico where it rapidly intensified into a hurricane. It made landfall in central Mexico early on September 28 as a Category 1 hurricane.

1 Storm history
2 Preparations
3 Impact
4 See also
5 References

[edit] Storm history

Storm path

On September 21, an area of convection developed in the western Caribbean Sea in association with a trough of low pressure.^[1] Convection increased and a broad area of low pressure developed on September 22 as the convection moved northwestward towards the Yucatán Peninsula.^[2] ^[3] On September 23 the area of low pressure moved over the Yucatán Peninsula and was producing thunderstorms from the southern Gulf of Mexico to the northwestern Caribbean Sea. ^[4] Over the next few days the broad area of low pressure was moving erratically over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico but convection remained limited due to strong upper-level winds. ^[5] By September 25, upper-level winds started to become more favorable for tropical cyclone formation and by that morning visible satellite imagery indicated that a tropical depression could be forming about 180 mi (290 km) east of Tampico, Tamaulipas.^[6] ^[7]

During the evening of September 25 a United States Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft found that the area of low pressure had developed into a tropical depression. ^[8] The depression tracked slowly to the south and southwest into the Bay of Campeche. On September 26 convection increased and the depression was getting closer to being a tropical storm. ^[9] At 0300 UTC September 27 the Government of Mexico issued a tropical storm watch for parts of the Mexican Gulf Coast as the depression was forecasted to strengthen into a tropical storm. ^[10] The depression became Tropical Storm Lorenzo around midday. Similar to Hurricane Humberto two weeks before, Lorenzo rapidly intensified as it approached central Mexico and it was upgraded to a hurricane that evening, less than seven hours after being named. Lorenzo made landfall in central Mexico south-southwest of Tuxpan as a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph (120 km/h) winds on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Lorenzo dissipated later that afternoon as the final advisory was issued.

[edit] Preparations

A tropical storm warning was issued for the central Mexican Gulf Coast on September 26. When the rapid intensification took place, it was upgraded to a hurricane warning.^[11] Mexico's Civilian Protection officials declared a "red alert" for much of the state of Veracruz.^[12]

At first, no evacuations were immediately issued as a result of the impending onset of Lorenzo, although shelters were set up in the state of Veracruz and officials canceled classes at all local schools.^[13] Due to the fast development of the storm though, officials quickly evacuated over 100,000 people just before landfall by using bullhorns on the streets warning people of the impending threat.^[14]

Pemex oil production continued despite the threat of the system and its offshore impacts.^[15] Nonetheless, the price of oil increased to record highs of $83.90 a barrel due to concerns by investors about possible damage.^[16]

[edit] Impact

Significant damage was reported in east-central Mexico as Lorenzo hit the area. Shacks were severely damaged by the strong winds, widespread tree damage was reported and many areas lost electricity service. Flooding was also reported as rivers quickly rose due to the heavy rain and saturated ground. Scattered landslides were also reported. The area was already cleaning up after Hurricane Dean, which hit the area in late August.^[17] Damage in Veracruz was estimated at $1 billion (2007 MXN, $92 million 2007 USD).^[18]

The government of Mexico reports six deaths attributable to Lorenzo: one in the state of Veracruz,a senior citizen who fell into a hole near his home in Pánuco, and five in Puebla, including a woman and two children in Chiconcuautla in Puebla's Sierra Norte region.

At least four of the deaths were caused by flash floods or mud slides. Damage in the two states included downed trees and power lines, as well as washed out roads and flooded homes. Media reports indicate that high winds peeled the roofs off of a number of homes in the seaside town of Nautla, to the south of where the center of Lorenzo made landfall. In Puebla, 169 homes were reported damaged and landslides made many roadways impassible. In the state of Hidalgo the San Lorenzo River overflowed its banks, forcing the evacuation of over 200 people.

^[19]^[20] ^[21]

Because the damage from Hurricane Lorenzo was not severe, the name Lorenzo was not retired and is included on the list of names for the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season.